FBI Director Christopher Wray disclosed new details about an attempted assassination plot against former President Donald Trump. The would-be assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks, had meticulously planned the attack, including researching the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and flying a drone near the rally venue in Butler, Pennsylvania, just hours before Trump took the stage on July 13.
Detailed Planning and Preparation
The FBI’s investigation into Crooks’ activities revealed a disturbing level of preparation. On July 6, the day the Trump rally was announced, Crooks conducted an internet search on his laptop, looking up “how far away was Oswald from Kennedy.” Director Wray highlighted this search during his testimony to the House Judiciary Committee, emphasizing its significance in understanding Crooks’ state of mind. “That’s a search that’s obviously significant in terms of his state of mind,” Wray noted. “That is the same day that it appears that he registered for the Butler rally.”
Drone Surveillance and Explosives
Crooks’ activities on the day of the rally included flying a drone around the rally area at approximately 4 p.m., just two hours before Trump’s appearance. The drone, airborne for about 11 minutes, provided Crooks with a live feed on his phone. After the incident, investigators found the drone in Crooks’ car, along with two explosives and another at his home. However, Wray stated that Crooks likely could not have detonated the explosives from the roof where he was ultimately killed by a US Secret Service counter-sniper.
The Weapon and the Shooter’s Background
Crooks used an AR-style rifle with a collapsible stock, which he had purchased from his father, to fire approximately eight times at the former president. Initially, officials believed the firearm belonged to Crooks’ father, but it was later confirmed that Crooks had bought it legally from him.
Director Wray pointed out the elevated threat environment in which prominent public officials currently operate, indicating that the FBI’s investigation into the incident is ongoing. Despite thorough searches of Crooks’ phone, computer, and personal history, investigators have yet to determine his exact motivation. Crooks had no prior contacts with the FBI and was not previously on their radar.
Misinterpretation of Search Activities
Addressing reports that Crooks had searched for images of specific public officials, Wray clarified that these searches were actually for news articles. “The shooter appears to have done a lot of searches of public figures in general, but so far we are seeing kind of news articles and things like that,” Wray explained, emphasizing the difference between searching for news versus targeting individuals specifically.
Ongoing Threats and Broader Security Concerns
Wray also mentioned a broader security threat posed by Iran, revealing that the FBI had informed the US Secret Service about an Iranian plot to assassinate Trump. While declining to provide specific classified details, Wray stressed the increased brazenness of the Iranian regime and anticipated more such threats in the future.
Political Repercussions
The hearing also included a pointed exchange between Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff and Director Wray, where Schiff criticized the Republican Party’s decision to nominate Trump, a convicted felon, for the 2024 presidential election.
READ MORE: Did The Simpsons Predict Kamala Harris Becoming The First Female President Of US?
